2012 Vauxhall Astra VXR

In the battle of the hot hatches, there is a clear out-of-the-box winner in the Astra VXR. Speaking purely of the horsepower battle, the VXR cannot be touched at 276 four-cylinder, turbo-charged horsepower. Vauxhall didn’t stop there either, point the VXR into a corner and it takes instructions like a brown-nosing intern. Turn-in is effortless, and the torque-steer of previous models in non-existent thanks to sophisticated chassis tuning, a stiffer suspension, and a mechanical limited-slip differential. This VXR is also refined enough to run around town without breaking all the eggs. So strap in and have some fun, or putter about in comfort and style; this hot hatch wears both hats well.